The first Belgian case of coronavirus was registered in early March. A month later, the counter shows nearly 13,000 infections. The state of the situation in the country, in figures.
–
The number of contaminations increases every day by around 18%. From March 30 to 31, the counter rose to 12,775 cases, 876 more than the previous day. Does this mean that the lockdown is missing its goal? No. The number of tests performed increases, which also increases the number of new infections reported. This increase may give the impression that the epidemic is gaining in virulence when in fact, a downward dynamic seems to be triggering.
–
But virologists often prefer another indicator than the number of cases to gauge the severity of the crisis: the pressure on the hospital system. The Covid-19 is very contagious. An infected person can infect two to three others, whereas for seasonal flu, each patient can transmit the virus to only one person. The danger is therefore, with such a contagious coronavirus, that the disease spreads so quickly thatit engorges our doctors and our hospitals. It is therefore necessary to slow down and spread out hospital admissions, the number of patients in intensive care or on a ventilator, to allow the beds to gradually be released.
–
On March 30, 485 people were admitted to hospitals, down slightly compared to previous days. A total of 4,920 people affected by Covid-19 are treated in hospitals across the country.
–
The challenge for the health system is therefore to maintain a balance between the number of occupied beds and the number of free beds. There are 2,700 intensive care beds, of which 1,800 are reserved for patients affected by the coronavirus. This number could be increased, if necessary. In addition, there is a plan of distribution between the hospitals of the country, in order to relieve those close to saturation by sending certain patients in structures for the moment relatively saved by the crisis. With 1,021 intensive care patients, the system is just over 50% of its capacities.
–
You also have to take into account number of patients treated who can leave hospitals. However, hospitalizations for the coronavirus are often long and can last several weeks. There is therefore no question of a significant rotation in hospitalized patients, which further complicates the situation.
–
Part of the patients unfortunately do not recover. Every day, the virus kills people. On March 30, Belgium counted 98 deaths due to Covid-19. In all, 705 people died from coronavirus in Belgium.
–
The death rate – the percentage of patients who die from coronavirus – remains a subject of debate around the world. In Belgium, this rate is quite high compared to other countries affected by the virus. But it is too early to draw conclusions. Detection – not only in Belgium – still leaves something to be desired, which makes the current figures misleading. The number of infections as well as the number of deaths are controversial. Is Covid-19 the main reason for death? Each victim is not tested post-mortem.
–
Coronavirus affects both the elderly and the young. However, the majority of Belgian deaths are to be deplored in people over 65 years of age. A large part of these victims had other illnesses (obesity, cardiovascular problems, blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, chronic diseases …).
–
Coronavirus: Survival kit
:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/1b6a078e-74c5-11ea-a87e-0217670beecd.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
